Last Modified: Friday, January 4, 2013 at 8:22 p.m.

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Investigators on Friday said a body had been found in the woods off King Street on Wilmington's Northside, and all signs pointed to the remains being those of Alma Lawson, an 83-year-old woman who has been missing since November.

The discovery answers a mystery that has consumed police and Lawson's family for the last two months.

“We at least know now,” said one of her sons, Thomas Lawson. “We don't have to sit around and assume.”

Law enforcement students from Cape Fear Community College combed the train tracks off King Street at the request of the Wilmington Police Department, and found one of Lawson's belongings. The clue drew investigators to the area, where around 2:45 p.m. the body was found at the bottom of a steep drop-off overlaid with vegetation about a mile from Lawson's home.

Detective Kevin Smith, a police spokesperson, said incorporating students into the search was viewed as a way to provide them with field training while boosting the number of eyes on the ground.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. While the prevailing theory is that Lawson, who showed early signs of dementia, simply wandered off, investigators said it was too soon to rule out foul play.

Lawson was a woman of routine. Every afternoon, she walked to visit her friend, Mable Everett, who lived only two blocks away in the Love Grove area. The woman had been friends for 50 years, and, now in their 80s, spent afternoons watching television, listening to music and reminiscing. Many knew them as Ms. Alma and Ms. Mable.

Weighing a slight 102 pounds and standing about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, Lawson walked slowly, taking short, choppy steps down the street. Because her eyesight had waned considerably over the years, neighbors said she hugged the curb with her foot.

On Sunday, Nov. 4, Lawson left Everett's about 4:30 p.m., and was never heard from again.

Lawson lived with her son, Ahmad Rashed, in the 1500 block of Stanley Street. Rashed said he called Everett about 6 p.m. that Sunday to inquire about his mother's whereabouts. After learning that Lawson had left more than an hour before, Rashed dialed 911. “It's been a heavy burden on all of us,” Rashed said Friday.

Her disappearance prompted a massive, months-long search that included dogs, boats and a helicopter. Detectives initially focused on the Love Grove area but decided recently to expand the search. And last week, police requested assistance from students in Cape Fear Community College's basic law enforcement training program, and 17 students got involved in the search, said CFCC spokesman David Hardin.

Police say winter weather lends itself to a better search because foliage dies off, making it easier to spot things in the woods.

Alma Lawson had a big family, which included four children and many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After a minivan from the mortuary service carried her body away from the scene Friday, several family members, including Thomas Lawson and Ahmad Rashed, walked down the tracks to look at the spot where the body was found.

<p>For members of the Lawson family, Friday felt bittersweet. But at least they are not left wondering about their loved one's whereabouts. </p><p>Investigators on Friday said a body had been found in the woods off King Street on Wilmington's Northside, and all signs pointed to the remains being those of Alma Lawson, an 83-year-old woman who has been missing since November. </p><p>The discovery answers a mystery that has consumed police and Lawson's family for the last two months. </p><p>“We at least know now,” said one of her sons, Thomas Lawson. “We don't have to sit around and assume.” </p><p>Law enforcement students from <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9937"><b>Cape Fear Community College</b></a> combed the train tracks off King Street at the request of the Wilmington Police Department, and found one of Lawson's belongings. The clue drew investigators to the area, where around 2:45 p.m. the body was found at the bottom of a steep drop-off overlaid with vegetation about a mile from Lawson's home.</p><p>Detective Kevin Smith, a police spokesperson, said incorporating students into the search was viewed as a way to provide them with field training while boosting the number of eyes on the ground. </p><p>An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. While the prevailing theory is that Lawson, who showed early signs of dementia, simply wandered off, investigators said it was too soon to rule out foul play. </p><p>Lawson was a woman of routine. Every afternoon, she walked to visit her friend, Mable Everett, who lived only two blocks away in the Love Grove area. The woman had been friends for 50 years, and, now in their 80s, spent afternoons watching television, listening to music and reminiscing. Many knew them as Ms. Alma and Ms. Mable. </p><p>Weighing a slight 102 pounds and standing about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, Lawson walked slowly, taking short, choppy steps down the street. Because her eyesight had waned considerably over the years, neighbors said she hugged the curb with her foot. </p><p>On Sunday, Nov. 4, Lawson left Everett's about 4:30 p.m., and was never heard from again. </p><p>Lawson lived with her son, Ahmad Rashed, in the 1500 block of Stanley Street. Rashed said he called Everett about 6 p.m. that Sunday to inquire about his mother's whereabouts. After learning that Lawson had left more than an hour before, Rashed dialed 911. “It's been a heavy burden on all of us,” Rashed said Friday. </p><p>Her disappearance prompted a massive, months-long search that included dogs, boats and a helicopter. Detectives initially focused on the Love Grove area but decided recently to expand the search. And last week, police requested assistance from students in Cape Fear Community College's basic law enforcement training program, and 17 students got involved in the search, said CFCC spokesman David Hardin. </p><p>Police say winter weather lends itself to a better search because foliage dies off, making it easier to spot things in the woods. </p><p>“Law enforcement has been diligent in keeping this going,” Thomas Lawson said. “We really appreciate it.”</p><p>Alma Lawson had a big family, which included four children and many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After a minivan from the mortuary service carried her body away from the scene Friday, several family members, including Thomas Lawson and Ahmad Rashed, walked down the tracks to look at the spot where the body was found. </p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9904"><b>Brian Freskos</b></a>: 343-2327</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BrianFreskos</p>